Character indicating display device



June 16, 1964 A. PHLIEGER, JR 3,137,082

CHARACTER INDICATING DISPLAY DEVICE Filed July 13, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.

I FIG. 2 FIG. 3

GRAYDON A. PHLIEGEFLJ INVENTOR.

- ATTORNEYS n 16, 1964 G. A. PHLIEGER, JR 3,137, 3

CHARACTER INDICATING DISPLAY DEVICE Filed July 13, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GRAYDON A. PHLIEGER ,VJR. INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS zm/ww United S e P tent fiice 3,137,082 Patented June 16, 1964 3,137,082 CHARACTER INDICATING DISPLAY DEVICE Graydon A. Phlieger, Jr., Cocoa, Fla., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Filed July 13, 1962, Ser. No. 209,802 6 Claims. (Cl. 40130) (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), sec. 266) I The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention relates in general to character indicating display devices. More specifically, the invention contemplates a digital readout device which is self-cooled, easily fabricated, rugged in construction, and includes an incandescent bulb lighted panel which is capable of forming a plurality of digits automatically in any desired order, the individual digits being of maximum luminosity and without filament fbright spots. r

Many digital and/ or character defining devices are available, but such devices have been found wanting in one or more respects which create major difiiculties in many uses. Among the currently available or present methods employed to accomplish the automatic digitcharacter defining operation may be mentioned the following major systems or devices:

' (1) Engraved and edge lighted Plexiglas sheets: This system has the disadvantage that considerable light is lost or limited in transmission by having to pass through plastic materials or lenses. Further, in the edge lighted system, digits do not remain in a horizontal plane but i vary continuously in depth. Thus, the devices employing this system have proven most difiicult to discern from any considerable distance or angle, and in addition must be placed in an environment having a minimum of light.

(2) Projectiontype displays: This type has been found environments in which they are employed in launch vehicle technology have, by their very nature, considerable direct and reflected light, thus making it still more dif ficult to readily discern rapidly changing digits. It was with these failings and disadvantages in mind that the present invention was evolved.

- The present invention obviates the above enumerated difiiculties and disadvantages in a highly simplified and efficient manner. Although generally applicable wherever a digital readout device is desirable, it has particular utility in launch vehicle command and communications centers. In particular, the readout device as herein disclosed achieves excellent heat dissipation through convection cooling by providing open front slots and radiant cooling through fins, thus permitting full wattage of the incandescent lamps utilized. In addition to giving greater to be; undesirable due to the considerable light lost or limited in passing through multiple lenses. In addition, this type has the disadvantage that the characters when formed are difiicult to see and use requires a particular environment (i.e., relative darkness with minimum reflection). p

' (3) Neon type display system: This system utilizes characters which are formed by neon lamps and has the verydefinite drawback that the neon lamp does nothave the brilliance of incandescent lamps, and in addition requires higher voltage supplies which substantially eliminate the use of transistor switching and thus is a limita tion to small packages.

(4) Lighted-slot type system: This type generally has lamp brilliance, butthe construction employed creates 'a heat problem which, to be overcome, requires aresist- 'ance in order to drop voltage and limit current. Such a requirement, quite naturally, cuts light output. In addition, the light slots are narrowed by stencil overlays which severely curtail readability and'legibility at a distance. Thus, it is readily apparent that in all of the above named types, each has a major failing. 'In themselves, such failings were not critical when these devices .were merely used by. technicians as bench.tools or aids.

'I- Iowever, it has been found that when employed in the readability, clarity and distance perception, the present construction promotes longer lamp life because of the cooler ambient operating temperature achieved. The construction includes light bafiies which hide the lamp filaments and prevent bright spots, even with the wider character forming slots which may be used.

In essence, the readout device herein disclosed comprises three groups or major components, these including a frame and lens, a finned main chassis with light 'baffies positioned therein, and a wired back portion. Thus, though simple and easily fabricated, installed and repairedfthe device is rugged, reliable, and highly functional.

It will therefore be seen that a device has been fabricated which overcomes all of the manifold above noted deficiencies in a highly simplified and efficient manner, while having many other attendant advantages which will be clear on a reading of the specification when taken in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is afrontal perspective breakaway view of the device of the invention;

FIGURES 2 and 3 are enlarged perspective views of the light bafiles from above and below, respectively; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective breakaway view of the device from the rear.

' Having reference first to FIGURE 1, it will'be seen that a digital readout device embodying the present inventionis indicated generally by the reference numeral '10. The device comprises, in essence, a frame 12, main ter 22 may be polarized to minimize-the reflection of unlit compartments and prevent outlining.

The chassis 24comprises an aluminum block 26 having fins 28 thereon, which fins provide radiant cooling for the device. Extending forward of the front face 30 of block 26 are standoff members, 32, which members are provided with internally threaded screw receiving apertures 34 for reception of therim fastening screws 18. The standoff portions32 provide a channelslot or passage 36 which provides for the circulation of air, this passage 36 acting much as a chimneyfor inducing a flow of air at ambient temperatures across the face 30 of the main chassis 24. Chassis block 26 has rectangular recesses'38 formed therein having walls 39, these recesses 38 extending through block 26. Block 26 may] be formed in two parts for ease of manufacture, weight and cooling capacity if desired. Thu's, face portion 40 and back portion 42 are joined at their peripheral edges 44,

, two units, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, or as a single unit, not shown. The reticulated divider elements 52 may also be formed separately and then attached to plate 54, or the unit 52, 54 may be formed as an integral unit.

As most clearly apparent from FIGURE 1, the light.

baffie unit is the same thickness as recess 38 into which it is positioned so that the plate 54 lies substantially in the plane of the front face 30 of the block member and dividers 52, which are normal to plate 54, will touch insulation mat 104. The outwardly facing portions of dividers 52 and baffle plate 54 are provided with a light impervious coating 56 and 5%, respectively, while the sides of dividers 52 and the reverse side or back of the baffle plate54 are provided with light reflective surfaces 60 and 62, respectively. Baffie plate 54 is of lesser dimension in length and width than the reticular dividers 52. This construction is best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3. As is apparent in FIGURE 1, the dividers 52, baflie plate 54 and recess walls 39 form a semiclosed compartment 64, providing a segmental digit forming slot 66 between plate 54 and wall 39. A, decimal recess 68 may be formed between digit recesses 38 where desirable.

Having reference now to FIGURE 4, which is a perspective view of the devicefrorn the rear with portions thereof broken away, it is seen that the backing portion 70 comprises a back cover pan 72 of substantially channel shape in cross section, and provided with apertures for the reception of cover pan screws 74. Voltage input lines76 pass through cover pan 72 and have positioned therearound at the jointure a strain relief member 78. Secured to the back cover pad 72 by means of screws 74 and standoff members 82, standoff 82 being provided with threaded bores for reception of screws 74, is a flat, rectangular terminal board 84 which is provided with groups 86 of spring loaded terminals 88. The terminals 88 are elongated in shape and extend through the terminal board 84 into electrical contact with bases 90 of the corresponding incandescent lamps 100. Wires 92 extend from the voltage input lines 76 to each of the terminal groups 86. Positioned below and retained in spaced relation to terminal board 84 by cover screw plate 94 is a lamp chassis 96 which is provided with lamp apertures 98 for the reception of lamps 100. As each lamp 100 is placed in the apertures 98 the base contact 102 thereof is left exposed and properly positioned for making electrical contact with the spring loaded contact members 88. Positioned on the forward face of lamp chassis 3 6 is an insulation mat 104 having lamp apertures 106 therein, said As can readily be seen from the above detailed description, a digital readout device has been provided which readily permits heatdissipation by convection cooling through slots or channels 36 between an outside lens 29. and front face 30 of the main chassis 24, and radiant coolingby means of fins 28 formed as an integral part of the chassis 24. This construction allows the full wattage of incandescent lamps 100 to be used while at the same time insuring a longer lamp life because of the cooler ambient'operating temperatures. In addition, it is seen that wider digit slots or baflle plate openings 66 will give more readable figures at farther distances and under even the most adverse lighting conditions. This is particularly true since the incandescent lamps 100 are posiapertures corresponding in position to lamp apertures 98 I in the lamp chassis 96.

As seen from FIGURE 4, selectively energizable incandescent lamps 100 extend into the light bafiles 50 on the reverse or back side thereof. The lamps 100 are positioned within the chambers or compartments 64 formed by dividers 52, plate 54 and recess wall 39 so that each lamp is completely covered on its forward or lit end by bafile plate 54. This novel arrangement completely eliminates any filament bright spots and giving a uniform, easily discernible light through the baffie opening or digit slot 66. As willbe readily apparent, the nu merals or digits are formed by energizing selected combinations of lamps 100, the light therefrom reflecting from the reflective surfaces 60, 62, 39 within compartment 64 and being emitted through the corresponding segmental digit slot 66.

tioned behind the light baffle cover plate 54 to obscure the lamp filaments from view, thuspreventing bright spots. As is also readily seen, the replacement of burnedout lamps is easily accomplished by merely removing cover screws'80, and thus the back cover pan 72 with its attached terminal board 84 and spring loaded terminal contact members88. This exposes lamp chassis 96 from which the lamps 100 can be removed (with their base contacts 90) by merely pushing out and replacing.

Although the particular illustration herein shown denotes the device as provided .with a stand element 110,

it will be obvious that'the device may be either stand mounted or panel mounted.

Thus it is readily seen that an easily fabricated, and easily repaired and serviced universal digital readout device has been provided which eliminates all of the aforementioned disadvantages inherein in the present stateof-the-art devices.-

What is claimed is:

l. A digital readout device comprising:

a. a chassis member having a front and rear face, re-

cesses laterally, spacedly positioned therein for the reception of character defining means,

(1) said chassis havingfastener-receiving spacing means on said front face, i

(2) said chassis comprising a block member having a hollow central interior portion joined at least at the outer periphery of said central portion,

(3) said chassis having a plurality of spaced vertically extending fins therearound operative to dissipate lamp generated heat by radiant cooling;

b. lens means removably mounted on said fastener-re- "ceiving spacing means to thereby form a substantially continuous slot across said front face serving to induce a continuous flow of air at ambient temperature across said front face on operation of said readout device;

c. character-defining means each comprising .bafiie means of essentially retiform configuration having a light impervious cover superposed thereon but of smaller outside dimensions than said retiform baflie means, said character-defining means removably positioned within said chassis recesses;

d. a lamp chassis of substantially the same configuration as said first named chassis member and removably secured thereto, said' lamp chassis having incandescent lamp receiving apertures spacedly positioned therein in paired groups, each of said paired groups corresponding in position to upper and lower portions of said chassis recesses; v

e. terminal contact. means comprising aboard having sprhig-biased terminal contact members extended therethrough, each said member positioned for engagement with the corresponding incandescent lamp in said lamp chassis; and

3. cover means removably secured to said terminal board, lamp chassis and main chassis.

2. In a digital readout device havingia lamp positioning board, a terminal boardspacedly positioned therebehind and removably secured thereto, said lamp positioning board having lamp apertures therein in laterally and vertically spaced groups, each said group forming one part of a. character defining system; the improvement which comprises: V

-a. a main chassis element removably secured to said lamp and terminal boards,

,7 1) said chassis element comprising a substantially block-like member having front and rear faces,

(a) said faces each extending outwardly to form fin elements serving to dissipate lamp generated heat, I

(b) said front face further having substantially rectangularly shaped recesses therein corresponding in position to substantially vertically paired groups of said lamp receiving apertures in said lamp board and serving to form a lamp light-reflective recess, said recess having cooperative means for delineating light defined bars serving to form a complete range of digits; and

b. a lens spacedly and removably secured to said front chassis face to form thereby a draft-creating slot operative to effect chassis cooling by convection.

3. A digital readout device comprising:

a. a chassis member having front and rear faces, an

having 1) at least one recess therein extending from said front face to said rear face,

(2) channel defining means on each end extending forward of said front face,

b. lens means mounted on said front face in spaced relation thereto so as to define at least one slot extending from top to bottom of said chassis member intermediate of said channel defining means and operative to force a continuous draft over at least a portion of said front face during activation of said device; 0. character defining means comprising (l) a light impervious plate member of lesser dimensions in length and width than said recess, and i (2) a plurality of reticulated divider elements normal to said plate member and serving to compartmentalize the region behind said plate member,

(3) said plate member and divider elements to gether being of substantially the same thickness as'said chassis member, V i (4) said plate being substantially flush with said front face in the assembled position; drselectively energizable lighting means extending into I said compartmentalized region; ande. a backing rnember having cooperative means for positioning said lighting means and establishing an operative circuit between said lighting means and said selective energizing means.

4. The digital readout device as defined in claim 3 wherein said chassis member includes heat dissipating fins around the periphery thereof.

5. A digital readout device comprising: 7

a. a chassis member having at least one recess formed therein for receiving digital readout means;

b. digital readout means mounted Within said recess comprising,

(1) at least a first and second light impervious plate member mounted in end-to-end relationship Within said recess with the face of each of said plate members being substantially flush with the surface of said chassis,

(a) the dimensions of each of said plate members being less than the dimensions of said recess so that slots are formed between the peripheral edges of said plate members and the walls defining said recess,

(b) the adjacent edges of said end-to-end mounted plate members being spaced apart thereby forming a slot between said plates,

(2) at least a first and second divider element extending from the back of each of said members,

said divider elements running at an angle plate with respect to one another with the intersection of said divider elements being at substantially triangular compartments behind each of said plate members,

each of said triangular compartments having aslot positioned along the base thereof at the peripheral edges of said plate members;

and

characters.

6. A digital readout device according to claim 5 wherein a light filter member is mounted over said slots for minimizing reflections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,006,483 Jones Oct. 24, 1911 1,789,667 Brackensey Jan. 20, 1931 1,891,498 Borden Dec. 20, 1932 2,426,079 Bliss Aug. 19, 1947 2,534,637 Sussin Dec. 19, 1950 2,792,648 Coss May 21, 1957 2,843,845 Vozza July 15, 1958 3,023,524 Muse Q. Mar. 6, 1962 3,081,450 Sinnenger Mar. 12,1963

-said slots thereby forming preselected digital UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 137,082 June 16, 1964 Graydon A. Phlieger, Jr.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In thegrant, lines 1 to 4, for "Graydon A. Phlieger, Jr. of Cocoa, Florida, assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration," read Graydon A. Phlieger, Jr. of Cocoa, Florida, lines 13 and 14, for "United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration" read Graydon A. Phlieger, Jr. his heirs or assigns line 17, after "United States." insert Provided, however, that the said invention may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty thereon. in the heading to the printed specification, lines 3 to 6, for "Graydon A. Phlieger, Jr. Cocoa, Fla. assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration" read Graydon A. Phlieger, Jr. 325 McLeod Drive, Cocoa, Fla.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of November 1964.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer 

2. IN A DIGITAL READOUT DEVICE HAVING A LAMP POSITIONING BOARD, A TERMINAL BOARD SPACEDLY POSITIONED THEREBEHIND AND REMOVABLY SECURED THERETO, SAID LAMP POSITIONING BOARD HAVING LAMP APERTURES THEREIN IN LATERALLY AND VERTICALLY SPACED GROUPS, EACH SAID GROUP FORMING ONE PART OF A CHARACTER DEFINING SYSTEM; THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES: A. A MAIN CHASSIS ELEMENT REMOVABLY SECURED TO SAID LAMP AND TERMINAL BOARDS, (1) SAID CHASSIS ELEMENT COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY BLOCK-LIKE MEMBER HAVING FRONT AND REAR FACES, (A) SAID FACES EACH EXTENDING OUTWARDLY TO FORM FIN ELEMENTS SERVING TO DISSIPATE LAMP GENERATED HEAT, 